Moby Dick Confusion, Mind Explosion

[Murat T. Akyuz]

I think many of us may find Moby Dick difficult to understand just like me, especially if you're reading it for the exams. I'm a new member of this forum, and I don't know what your reactions will be; however, it seems pretty easy to say that I really need some help.

Help me understand and certainly answer this messy question:

"The meaning of ambiguity in Moby Dick as expressed in Melville's letter to Hawthorne ' I have written a wicked book, and feel spotless as the lamb.' "

[ennison]

You know I thought the use of "wicked" to mean excellent was a modern invention caused by the dissolution of moral attitudes and behaviour but there you have Mr Melville indulging in modern slang even before its meaning was created. What a topsey-turvey ol world when what is to come is so long foreshadowed. And to feel "immaculate" about being such a devilishly deep and excellent meandering mariner of digression just shows to go you. He had no doubt the feel that he had transgressed in some way, had trespassed, had crossed a line that the Protestant Puritans were always encroaching upon but Mr Milton perhaps aside had never dared to so wickedly cross. Sorry pal. I can't really help you. Did you not enjoy the tome?

[hellsapoppin]

I love the novel Moby Dick but am troubled by the fact that today's audience misses so many symbolisms that were readily discernible in its time and which proved troubling for many people in its era.


Those were highly segregated times and it was clear to many that the USA was on the verge of a civil war due to slavery and other divisive forms of politics. The book was clearly calling for reconciliation among peoples. Difficult to explain but consider this:


We are introduced to Ishmael (a white man) who makes a pledge of eternal brotherhood with Queequeg (a black man who previously practiced cannibalism). Today it is no big deal for a white and black man to be closer than brothers as we see that every week whenever we watch pro football or any other sport. But in those days it was utterly shocking for anyone to portray people of diverse skin tone live that way - at least many critics thought so.


We are introduced to a preacher named Father Mapple who calls his flock "Brethren" and "ship mates". The congregation reveres this man and say he is "one of them". While the congregants are white like Ishmael, Father Mapple is described as having "large brown hands" and a "swarthy forehead". This means he was black. A black man preaching in a white church is no big deal today. But in those segregated times it was considered shocking to many.


While in those days white was considered the color of purity and godliness, Chapter 42 entitled "The Whiteness of the Whale" gives us many examples of white representing evil.

In the end, Ishmael's brotherhood with Queegueg saved his life as he was saved while floating on his dead black brother's coffin. This likely symbolizes Melville's idea that we survive when we all (black & white) live together as brethren. It would be no stretch to interpret his meaning in such a manner as he was a Trancendentalist and that philosophical group had members who preached this sort of message.

The critics hated him for that preaching that message back then. Small wonder why the book languished in obscurity until the 1920s. Years later, I understand, people like Ghandi and MLK found it to be very inspiring. Therefore, while its message may be obscured by the passing of these many decades, it deserves a place in everyone's library.